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Mjekevu stars as Toulouse edge past Lyon
By Ben Spratt
Toulouse battled to a 30-23 victory over 14-man Lyon at Stade Ernest Wallon to leapfrog their opponents into second place in the European Challenge Cup's Pool 2.
The hosts turned in a dominant first-half display in their first European triumph of the season, with Wandile Mjekevu the inspiration as he scored twice.
Having won 17-9 at Lyon in the Top 14 last month, Toulouse took the initiative on home turf and Jean-Marc Doussain dispatched a pair of penalties after Romain Ntamack's early try was ruled out.
Mjekevu then went over for a brilliant opening try - storming through the Lyon defence - and the same man quickly scored again, with two successful conversions from Doussain adding to a handsome lead.
A dismal first half continued for the visitors as Timilai Rokoduru was dismissed for a high tackle, although two Jonathan Pelissie penalties got them on the scoreboard - the lead cut to 20-6 at the break.
Yoann Huget's score looked to have Toulouse back on track after the restart, but Lyon responded with a third Pelissie penalty and Theo Belan's converted try.
And although Sofiane Guitoune added a fourth home try, the visitors ensured a nervy finish as Jone Tuva scored - Frederic Michalak converting - and Mjekevu let slip a late opportunity for a hat-trick, with Toulouse scraping over the line.
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To be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
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